Opera singers saddle up for SongCycle 2016

Singers from the world of opera are cycling more than 500 miles as part of a fundraising event, when they will ride on to the stage of the London Coliseum before a special concert.

For SongCycle 2016, a team of nine singers will cycle between Glasgow and London from July 24 to July 31. The singers will begin the ride with a concert in Scotland, and conclude the challenge by riding on to the Coliseum stage on the final day. This will be followed by a concert at the London venue.

Singers taking part include Mary Bevan, Nick Pritchard, Nicky Spence and Emma Kerr, who are helping to raise £25,000 towards Help Musicians UK, a charity that helps professional musicians in need.

Spence, currently in English National Opera’s Jenufa, said: “This is certainly a more terrifying prospect than any six-hour long opera by Wagner. We’re hoping to raise lots of money for Help Musicians UK and take the opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic work they do across the UK.”

He added that the ride aimed to promote the importance of health and mental well-being for performers.

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Matt is news editor for The Stage, having started as the newspaper’s broadcast reporter. He covers all areas of the industry in his role, but has a particular interest in musical theatre. Matt studied acting at Bretton Hall and presents a monthly theatre news round up on BBC London Radio.